ARAG Health Insurance Review: Is It the Right Private Option for You?

When choosing a private health insurance provider in Germany, options can feel overwhelming. ARAG may not be the first name that comes to mind — most people know it for legal insurance — but it also offers full and supplementary private health insurance tailored to freelancers, civil servants, and high earners. So, is ARAG worth it?

In this comprehensive review, we’ll walk you through ARAG’s plans, prices, pros, cons, hidden features, and how it compares to other providers in the German health insurance landscape.

What Is ARAG Health Insurance?

ARAG is a German insurance company founded in 1935, headquartered in Düsseldorf. Though globally known for its legal insurance, ARAG also offers health, dental, accident, and supplementary plans. It operates in 19 countries and remains one of the world’s largest family-owned insurers.

Key offerings include:

• Full private health insurance (Vollversicherung)
• Supplementary insurance (Zusatzversicherung)
• Special Beihilfe tariffs for civil servants

Its modular tariff system allows you to build your policy around your specific needs.

Understanding Private Insurance Terms

To navigate private health insurance, you need to understand a few key concepts:

• PKV vs GKV: PKV refers to private insurance with individualised premiums and coverage, while GKV is the public system based on income.
• Selbstbehalt: Your deductible — what you pay before insurance coverage begins.
• Beihilfe: A government subsidy for civil servants covering a portion of their healthcare costs.
• Basistarif and premium tariffs: ARAG offers both a legally mandated base tariff and modular premium tariffs with more extensive coverage.

ARAG Health Insurance Plans

ARAG’s full private health insurance is designed for the self-employed, civil servants, and high-income earners. Their tariffs range from basic to premium and can cover inpatient and outpatient care, dental, medications, and alternative treatments.

For those in the public health system (GKV), ARAG offers supplementary insurance to enhance existing coverage. Options include dental upgrades, private hospital stays, and access to alternative therapies.

Civil servants benefit from Beihilfe-compatible tariffs with lower premiums and high reimbursement rates, designed to complement government support.

What Does ARAG Cover?

Standard ARAG coverage includes:

• Doctor and specialist visits (no referral needed)
• Private hospital stays and single-bed rooms
• Dental care (fillings, crowns, implants depending on tariff)
• Medications, therapies, rehabilitation, and preventive care

Additional benefits include 100% reimbursement on certain plans, mental health treatment, and alternative therapies like osteopathy and acupuncture. Digitally, ARAG provides 24/7 hotlines, online consultations, and a user-friendly app for managing claims.

How Much Does ARAG Health Insurance Cost?

Premiums depend on several factors:

• Age and medical history
• Coverage level and chosen tariff
• Entry age (the older you are when you join, the more you pay)

Plans also include Altersrückstellungen (age reserves) to stabilise premiums later in life. Deductibles typically range between €300 and €1,200, and reimbursements are invoice-based. Some services (like dental or alternative treatments) may have waiting periods.

Compared to other providers, ARAG is competitively priced for younger professionals and Beamte. In certain cases, providers like Debeka or Allianz may offer more cost-effective options for specific demographics.

Who Should Consider ARAG?

ARAG is a strong choice for:

• Freelancers who want personalised, modular plans
• Beamte seeking Beihilfe-compatible insurance
• High-income earners who prefer flexibility and faster access to care

Expats may also benefit from ARAG’s onboarding support and English-speaking representatives (though the app and website are primarily in German).

ARAG might not be ideal for:

• Low-income earners or families seeking bundled child coverage
• Individuals with pre-existing conditions, depending on underwriting

Pros and Cons of ARAG

Pros:

• Customisable modular tariffs
• Strong coverage for dental and inpatient services
• Generally fast claims processing and solid customer support

Cons:

• Premiums increase with age
• Some tariffs exclude pre-existing conditions
• Choosing the right plan can be complex without expert advice

Real Customer Experiences

Freelancers often praise the flexibility ARAG offers, especially for dental benefits, but warn about premium increases after five to ten years. Civil servants report smooth coordination with Beihilfe. Expats find onboarding fairly straightforward but mention the language barrier when using digital tools.

Expert Opinions & Rankings

• Stiftung Warentest ranks ARAG above average for service and transparency.
• Focus Money has named ARAG a top choice for civil servants.
• Many brokers highlight ARAG’s strong dental options and flexible tariffs.

Hidden Benefits Worth Knowing

Some lesser-known advantages of ARAG include:

• Ability to bundle health and legal insurance for savings
• Loyalty perks for long-term clients (after five years)
• Wellness bonuses for preventive care and fitness participation

Common Pain Points and Solutions

Tariff confusion: Working with an independent broker helps navigate the choices.

Premium hikes: Look for tariffs with capped annual increases.

Language access: Request English-speaking support or use a broker experienced with expats.

Alternatives to ARAG

• GKV + Zusatzversicherung: Good for those not ready to commit to full PKV.
• Other PKV providers: Allianz, AXA, and Debeka may offer better pricing for certain profiles.
• Switching back to GKV: Only possible under strict conditions — understand your long-term commitment.

What Most People Don’t Realise

• All PKV plans require medical underwriting — exclusions or surcharges are possible.
• Joining after age 40 means higher premiums and fewer plan options.
• While ARAG has strong EU coverage, some tariffs limit non-EU travel or repatriation.

Busting Common Myths

• Private insurance isn’t always better — especially for families or people with unstable income.
• Though known for legal protection, ARAG offers highly rated health plans with solid coverage.

Under-Discussed Topics

Mental health coverage varies by tariff. Some plans limit therapy sessions or require pre-approval. ARAG also includes Pflegepflichtversicherung (mandatory long-term care insurance) as part of all PKV plans. If you’re insuring children privately, remember that each child often requires a separate policy — and this can add up.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing a plan without understanding limitations
• Underestimating the long-term cost of private insurance
• Missing out on wellness bonuses
• Signing a contract without comparing other providers or consulting an advisor

Conclusion: Is ARAG Health Insurance Right for You?

ARAG stands out for its customisable tariffs, strong supplementary options, and reliable support. It’s particularly well-suited for freelancers, Beamte, and expats who want flexible, premium care. Families or those on tighter budgets may find more value in the public system or elsewhere.

To make the most of ARAG:

• Compare tariffs carefully
• Work with an independent advisor
• Use wellness programs and loyalty benefits